Electrode holder



R, C. MORFORD I ELECTRODE HOLDER- Oct. 16, 1945.

, Filed Aug. 13,. 1943 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 16, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,387,169 ELECTRODEHOLDER Roy 0. Morford, Manassas, Va. Application August 13, 1943, SerialNo. 498,557

2 Claims.

This invention relates to electrode holders used in electr c-weldingapparatus.

important object of the invention is to provide an electrode holderhaving an adjustable head, whereby the electrode held therein may bedisposed at various angular positions with respect to the handle,thereby adapting the device for a particular use.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an electrode holderwherein the electrical elements thereof are completely insulated,eliminating any possibility of injury to the operator, due to arcing.

A further object of the invention is to provide a holder which will gripelectrodes of various sizes, eliminating the necessity of making changesin the electrode holder head, to adapt the holder for gripping large andsmall electrodes.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an electrodeholder wherein the handle thereof is ventilated to prevent heating ofthe handle which results in discomfort to the user.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a swivelconnection between the handle and the electric cable connectedtherewith, thereby permitting ready turning of the handle withouttwisting the cable.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the combination andarrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafterdescribed and claimed, it being understood that changes in the preciseembodiment of the invention herein described, may be made within thescope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of an electrode holder constructed inaccordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the holder taken onthe line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the reference character designatesthe handle of the electrode holder, which is constructed of fibermaterial having insulating qualities. The handle which is tubular information is provided with a plurality of ventilating openings, so thatair may pass freely through the handle to cool the same.

Mounted within the handle is the tubular body portion 1 which isconstructed of copper material, and is of a length to extend throughoutsubstantially the entire length of the handle 5, in spaced relationtherewith, providing a passageway for air to circulate through thehandle. One end of the tubular body portion 1 is reduced in diameter andextends an appreciable distance beyond one end of the handle 5, thereduced poi,- tion of the body portion 1 being indicated by thereference eharactei" 8. A sleeve indicated at 9, and which isconstructed of insulating material, is secured to the tubular bodyportion 1 at a point intermediate the ends thereof, as by means of thebolt [0, which passes through the sleeve and body portion 1, as clearlyshown by Figure 2 of the drawing. This sleeve 9 also provides a stop forone end of the coiled spring H, the opposite end of the coiled springengaging the fiber sleeve I2 which is positioned between the bodyportion 1 and handle 5, insulating the handle from the body portion 1. Abolt indicated at l3 extends through the fiber sleeve l2 and extendsthrough an opening in the copper plunger l4 that is disposed within thereduced portion 8 of the tubular body portion 1. Elongated openings [5are formed in the reduced portion 8 of the tubular body portion 1, andaccommodate the bolt l3, with the result that the plunger l4 may movelongitudinally of the handle and tubular body portion 1. Disposed withinthe fiber sleeve I2, is a fiber tube I6 which is of a length to extendinto the cap ll, constructed preferably of rubber, to insulate theelements of the holder against the electric current passing through theholder.

The cap ll also encases the end of the reduced portion 8 of the tubularbody portion 1, leaving a small portion of the reduced portion 8 exposedto receive the pivot pins I8 'that extend through the adjustable head 29that in turn is covered with rubber insulating material indicated at 20.These pins permit of pivotal movement of the adjustable head so that theelectrode which is indicated at 2| and which is held within theadjustable head, may be moved to various angular positions.

The outer end of the copper plunger 14 is beveled as at 22 to set up abinding action with the electrode which is held within the head of theholder.

One end of the body portion 1 is split and formed with an annular groove23 to receive the annular enlargement 24 of the split cable connector25. It will be noted that due to this construction, the member 25 mayswivel within the open end of the body portion 1, to the end that thecable indicated at 26, and which is extended into one end of the member25, will be prevented from twisting, when the electrode holder is inuse.

The reference character 21 designates the operating trigger, and asshown the trigger is formed with a curved end 28 that has pivotalconnection with the bracket 29 that is secured to the handle 5, by meansof the screws 30. The curved portion 28 of the trigger rests on theupper edge of the fiber sleeve l2, and when the trigger is presseddownwardly or towards the handle 5, the fiber sleeve l2 will be movedrearwardly, moving the plunger 2 away from the electrode held within thehead 19. The electrode may now be removed and replaced by a largerelectrode, should it be desired to use a larger electrode with theholder.

When the trigger 21 is released, it is obvious that the spring H willforce the sleeve l2 outwardly, with the result that the top of plunger Mwill again be moved to contact the electrode positioned within theadjustable head l9.

What is claimed is:

1. An electrode holder comprising a hollow handle, a tubular conductorhaving a reduced end mounted within the hollow handle, an insulatingsleeve secured on the conductor and adapted to insulate the handle fromthe conductor, said reduced end having elongated openings, an insulatingsleeve disposed between the conductor and handle at a point adjacent tothe inner end of the reduced end of the conductor, a plunger held withinthe reduced end of the conductor, a pin extending through said sleeve,elongated openings and plunger, an expansible spring disposed betweensaid sleeves and adapted to normally urge the plunger outwardly, atrigger pivotally connected with the handle, said trigger having"curvedportions engagin one of the sleeves and'adapted to move the sleeveand plunger associated therewith inwardly against the action of saidspring, and a head into which the outer end of the plunger extendsclamping an electrode.

2. An electrode holder comprising an insulated of said tubular conductorand into which the I beveled end of the plunger extends, said plungeradapted. to clamp an electrode between the bev eled end thereof andhead, and means for urging the plunger into said head.

ROY c. MORFORD.

